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Princeton chemists share science with local kids at 'Chemistry Rocks!'

Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

Nov. 17, 2017 1:51 p.m.

Sisters Maya (11), Willa (5) and Zara (9) dissolve sugar cubes encased in putty to see how caves and fossil impressions are formed while attending the “Chemistry Rocks!” event at Princeton University’s Frick Chemistry Laboratory on Oct. 27. The event was hosted by the Princeton section of the American Chemical Society.

Children and young people ages 5 and up were invited to don safety goggles and get their hands dirty with hands-on activities, games and presentations related to the chemistry of Earth. They learned about rock-forming minerals; made caves, slime and limestone; watched coal form; investigated ocean chemistry; dug for fossils, and more.

The event was hosted by the Princeton section of the American Chemical Society.

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Alex (8) uses a black-light flashlight to see fluorescence in rocks and rock-forming minerals. “I like minerals. They’re shiny,” said his friend Thomas.

Photo by

Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

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From left: Vaishnavi (9) and Shriya (8) make slime with borax and glue. “It’s fun to learn,” said Shriya.

Chemistry graduate students Mia Borden, left, and Alyssa Ertel show children how to make coal from sugar and sulfuric acid. “It’s a fun way to share what I like about science with kids,” said Borden. “They’re very enthusiastic.”

Photo by

Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

More than 500 community members ages 5 and up attended the evening event, where they learned about chemistry and geology through hands-on activities led by professors, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduates, and AP chemistry students from Princeton High School, and Chem Club members from Lawrence High School.